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When Is Wasp Season in Leigh-on-Sea?
The school holidays fall exactly when wasp numbers are at their highest, so families benefit from knowing what to expect and what to teach children.
Holidays and the peak arrive together
For many families the long summer break runs from late July through August. That period also happens to include the peak of the wasp year. The two overlap almost exactly, so children are in the garden, the park and the street at the very time wasp numbers are greatest. A little preparation by parents in Leigh-on-Sea goes a long way.
The aim of this guide is not to make anyone anxious about summer. Most wasp encounters are brief and harmless. The point is to follow the calendar so that you can enjoy the holidays and recognise when a nest, rather than a stray wasp, is the problem.
What the wasps are doing
Nests are started from late April, depending on the weather, and by the time the break begins they have been growing for three months. In August the colony reaches its peak, and a nest may hold from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps. Late in the summer the wasps also seem more interested in sweet food and drink, which is a poor match for ice lollies, juice and picnic tables.
Children cannot be expected to know this. A short conversation at the start of the holidays makes the difference between a calm wasp encounter and a panic.
Day trips and picnics matter too. Wasps are drawn to open food and sweet drinks, and parks, beaches and play areas are all places where families eat outdoors. Take lidded bottles, wrap sandwiches, and bring wipes for sticky hands. It is a small effort that avoids many unwelcome visits.
At home, it helps to bring ice lollies indoors or eat them in a shaded spot away from walls and hedges. Children who walk around with sticky ice cream are the most likely to be bothered.
Teaching children what to do
Keep the rules simple and say them more than once. Children respond to short, clear instructions that they can remember when excited.
- Stay still or walk away slowly if a wasp lands; do not swat or run.
- Never poke at holes in walls, banks or the ground.
- Tell an adult straight away if you see lots of wasps in one place.
- Keep drinks covered and check cans before drinking.
Practise the walk-away part. It is surprisingly hard for a child to resist flapping if a wasp comes near.
Talk through what to do when a wasp is stuck on the window or flies into a room. A calm adult can open the window and let it find its way out, or trap it under a cup and carry it outside. Show children how to do this, because it turns something frightening into something manageable.
Older children can be shown how to spot a nest: many wasps flying to the same place, a grey papery edge showing through a gap, or a hole in the ground with insects coming and going. Explain that they should tell you rather than investigate.
A holiday-week check of the garden
Before the break begins, walk round the garden with a critical eye. Look at the eaves, any climbing plants, the shed, the compost bin and the borders. Look for a stream of wasps going to one spot and listen for buzzing behind boards.
Repeat the check a few times in August, and especially before using the paddling pool, trampoline or den area. If you find activity, close that part of the garden to play until it has been treated. Play equipment close to a hedge or under an eave is the most likely to cause an accident.
Consider the sleepover or camping in the back garden. Check the area beforehand, and keep tents away from walls and hedges. Rubbish and drinks should be taken indoors, and anyone heading to the toilet in the dark should be aware of any area you have marked off.
If you have friends visiting with their own children, tell them about any known nest and the area to avoid.
Stings: what to do and when to call 999
Most stings can be dealt with at home. Wash the area with soap and water, remove the sting if you can see it, and apply a cold pack. Keep an eye on the child for the next few hours.
Call 999 if there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash. If you know a child is allergic to wasp stings, speak to your GP about it, and mention it when you book a treatment so the booking can be prioritised.
After a sting, comfort matters as much as first aid. A cold pack, a drink, and some quiet time make a big difference, and a child who feels looked after will be more relaxed around wasps in future.
Keep a note of any reaction. If a child has had a strong reaction before, or you are unsure, speak to your GP before the next summer.
Sorting the nest before the next school day out
Parents who work can ask a relative or neighbour to keep an eye on the garden during the day and tell them if wasps are seen. Whoever is in charge of the children should know where the nest is and which parts of the garden are out of bounds.
Booking Wasp Nest Removal Essex means a fixed £90 per nest, and the price graphic promises one visit guaranteed, while a second nest at the same address adds £35 more. Both householders and business owners can book, the work is fully insured, and bookings are taken seven days a week with same-day service offered.
Call 01245 327274 or fill in the online booking form on the contact page. When arranging treatment, find out whether the technician can take the empty nest down.
Wasps on your property in Leigh-on-Sea?
Fixed price £90 per nest, same-day service available.